Download Geometry, Part 1

MATH
Geometry, Part 1:
Basic Shapes
(1.5 hours)
Lesson at a Glance
For students with weak basic skills, tackling
math can seem daunting and intimidating. This
lesson takes a hands-on, experiential approach
to geometry through the beautiful art form of
origami. The springboard is a video segment
about a Japanese-American artist who shows
how basic shapes and angles come to the fore
with every fold of the paper.
MATERIALS
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ADDITIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED:
• Colorful paper suitable for an origami project
• Scissors
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To know the basics about geometrical
shapes
To be familiar with origami, the Japanese
art of paper-folding, and how it makes use
of geometry
LEARNER OUTCOMES
Students will...
• Learn the basic vocabulary of geometry.
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Learn to identify various geometric shapes
and their attributes.
Learn about angles, symmetry, asymmetry,
and parallel lines.
Be able to make a piece of origami.
Buzzword: Asymmetrical
Episode 29: Length: 1:23, Start Time: 26:29
PRINT:
Getting an Angle on Geometry
Issue 28, p. 10–11
Build Your Vocabulary
Issue 28, p. 2
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ACTIVITIES
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View and discuss two T V 4 1 1 video
segments.
Read two In Print articles related to the
video.
Review nine vocabulary words or terms.
Create an origami paper heart.
“Each piece of
paper has a
secret.”
SUPPLEMENTAL
GOALS
VIDEO:
Math Behind the Arts: Origami
Episode 28: Length: 4:18, Start Time: 8:58
TEACHER’S GUIDE
SUMMARY
1
MATH
Geometry, Part 1:
Basic Shapes
Step by Step
1. INTRODUCING THE CONTENT
Pre-Viewing Activities
Discuss
How many students in the class know the meaning of
“geometry”?
[According to Webster's New World Dictionary, it is
"the branch of mathematics that deals with points,
lines, planes, and figures and examines their properties, measurement, and mutual relations in space."]
What types of work draw on the principles of geometry?
[Answers will vary. Learners may mention carpentry,
construction, drafting, engineering, and architecture
among other professions that require knowledge of
geometry.]
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VOCABULARY
REVIEW
geometry
pentagon
hexagon
square
triangle
isosceles triangle
symmetry
asymmetry
asymmetrical
parallel lines
How many basic geometrical shapes do learners know?
[Square, rectangle, triangle, perhaps even hexagon,
octagon, or pentagon—the five-sided shape for which
the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense is
named.]
How do these shapes differ from one another?
[Students may be aware of the varying number of sides
and angles.]
SUPPLEMENTAL
Teacher Talk
Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, relies a
great deal on geometric ideas. This segment of TV411
features an origami artist who shows how, through her
art, you can learn the concepts of basic geometry and
create beautiful paper objects as you do.
TEACHER’S GUIDE
Keep track of students' explanations on the board, but
do not correct errors, if any.
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MATH
Geometry, Part 1:
Basic Shapes
Step by Step (cont.)
2. MODELING THE STRATEGY
View Video
Math Behind the Arts: Origami, Episode 28: Length: 4:18, Start Time: 8:58
Origami artist June Sakamoto explains why, when you're learning origami, you're really putting geometry into practice.
3. MINING THE STRATEGY
Post-Viewing Activities
Discuss
• Why is geometry the basis of origami?
[Because you're working with different shapes and
angles, which are the basis of geometry.]
• What kinds of shapes did June Sakamoto demonstrate?
[Square, rectangle, triangles, pentagon, hexagon.]
• What are angles?
[The shape made by two straight lines that meet at a
common point. Angles are measured in units called
degrees.]
4. EXTENDING AND PRACTICING THE STRATEGY
SUPPLEMENTAL
The Basics
Divide the class into small groups or pairs. Distribute
copies of “Getting an Angle on Geometry,” (In Print
issue 28, p. 10–11) and ask participants to collaborate
on the first half of the activity, on p. 10.
TEACHER’S GUIDE
Workbook Activities
3
MATH
Geometry, Part 1:
Basic Shapes
Step by Step (cont.)
When learners have completed naming the shapes
and describing their attributes, ask them to share their
responses. You may wish to have them draw the
shapes on the board and add up the angles.
Hands-On
Distribute the origami paper (and scissors, if necessary), and ask learners to make a paper heart, following the instructions on p. 11 of the In Print article.
If you prefer, you can ask a member of the class to
guide the group through the activity by reading the
instructions aloud.
5. EXTENDING THE LESSON
Discuss
You may wish to replay the video segment, focusing
students’ attention on the topics of discussion below.
• What is an isosceles triangle?
[One that has at least two sides that are the same
length, and possibly a third.]
• Is the triangle in the In Print lesson an isosceles triangle?
[Yes.]
SUPPLEMENTAL
Optional
For the next question, you may want to play the short
Buzzword segment.
TEACHER’S GUIDE
• What are parallel lines?
[Lines that run side by side but never cross.]
• Can learners recall examples of parallel lines?
[Railroad tracks, guitar strings, lines strung on telephone
wires that run side by side.]
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MATH
Geometry, Part 1:
Basic Shapes
Step by Step (cont.)
View Video
Buzzword: Asymmetrical, Episode 29: Length: 1:23, Start Time: 26:29
• What is symmetry? Asymmetry?
[Something that is symmetrical means that when it’s
divided down the middle, both halves are the same.
An asymmetrical object is not the same on both sides
when it’s divided down the middle.]
• Ask learners to name or draw symmetrical and asymmetrical objects or to find examples of them in the room.
Workbook Activity
Distribute copies of “Build Your Vocabulary” (In Print
issue 28, p.2). Ask learners to complete the activity,
independently or in pairs.
6. PORTFOLIO
Students save their completed work pages in their portfolio.
SUPPLEMENTAL
There are many sites on the Web that feature free, downloadable instructions for origami creations. You may wish to
print one out that is more challenging than the paper heart.
It could be the basis of an extended lesson on geometric
shapes, following directions, and artistic expression!
TEACHER’S GUIDE
7. WEB CONNECTION
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